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P. Miller defends self, Wal-Mart in copyright suit

10/3/2008

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Master P has teamed up with Wal-Mart to defend itself over a lawsuit revolving around the rapper's P. Miller clothing line, available exclusively at select Walmart stores.

In a suit filed by Pepe Jeans London, the high-priced clothing company, accuses P. Miller of copyright infringement over the us of a circled P.
 
 

P. Miller claims that its clothing has featured the circled-P style since 1989 and has been using an encircled P on its various garments from the very beginning. The company added that P. Miller clothing has been available worldwide through retailers such as JCPenny, Mervyn's, Sears, and Kohl's, and has never once been the subject of a lawsuit.
 
 

According to P. Miller, the company legally registered a "circled-P with wings" mark through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with a date of first-use of April 1, 2003. The plaintiff in the suit, Pepe Jeans London, filed their date of first-use as June 1, 2003. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recognizes the marks of both P. Miller and Pepe Jeans London as registered and unique.

 

"I went to the website of PepeJeans.com and couldn't find a circled-P anywhere, on their clothing, or the brand advertising within the site," said P. Miller after searching their page. "I'm the future of affordable fashion and big brands will always hate me, but they shouldn't throw stones if they live in a glass house!

 

P. Miller acknowledged that the suit may have been brought on because of its alliance with Wal-Mart. As the largest retailer, Wal-Mart is often the target of bogus lawsuits, P. Miller said.

From a legal perspective, government trademark authorities have reviewed the issue and concluded that P. Miller Designs' activities do not constitute trademark infringement, the company reported. P. Miller is confident the Pepe Jeans suit will fail.

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